Breech mechanism of guns.



-E. SCHNEIDER.

BREEUH MECHANISM OF GUNS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 31, 1911.

Patented July 16,1912.

11 SHEBTSSHEET 1.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH (Ill-WASHINGTON, n. c.

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BR H ME NISM OF GUNS.

APPLIOATIO ED JULY 31, 1911.

Patented 16, 1912.

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E. SCHNEIDER.

BBEECH MECHANISM OF GUNS.

' APILIOATION FILED JULY 31, 1911.

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Patented July 16,1912.

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BREEOH MECHANISM 'OF GUNS.

APPLICATION IILED JULY 31, 1911.

1,032,780. Patented July 16, 1912.

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BREEGH MECHANISM OF GUNS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 31, 1911.

1,032,780. Patented July 16, 1912.

11 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

CDLUMMA PLANOGRAPH C(L, WASHINGTON. D. c.

E. SGHNEIDER.

BREEGH MECHANISM OF GUNS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 31, 1911.

Patented July 16, 1912.

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' E. SGHNEIDER.- BREEGH MECHANISM OF GUNS. APPLIGATION FILED JULY 31, 1911.

Patented July 16, 1912.

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APPLIOATION FILED JULY 31, 1911. 1,032,780, Patented July 16, 1912. 11SHEETS-SHEET 11.

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EUGENE SCHNEIDER, OF LE CREUZOT, FRANCE.

IBREECIEE MECHANISM or cons.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EUGENE Sonnnmna, of Le Creuzot, Sane-et-Loire,France, have invented a new and useful Improvement in or Relating to theBreech Mechanism of Guns, which is fully set forth in the follow-v ingspecification.

This invention relates to the breech mechanism of guns.

According to the present invention the breech block is formed of twosimilar elements that are separated one from the other for opening thebreech and brought into contact for closing it. The two elements to beoperated are given movements in opposite directions (both in opening andin closing the breech) and the total amplitude of the movement isreduced by one-half; at the same time the arrangement of the twoelements and the arrangement of the operating mechanism common to themboth is such that the two parts of the block mutually balance eachother, which considerably reduces the effort required for operatingthem.

In order that the said invention may be clearly understood and readilycarried into efiect I will describe the same more fully with referenceto the accompanying drawings in which Figures 1 to 9 represent oneconstructional form of the invention in which the breech block is formedof two wedges which are given simultaneous rectilinear displacements inopposite directions. Figs. 1 to 5 show the breech block, respectively,in side elevation, rear elevation, longitudinal section on the line BBin Fig. 2, horizontal section on the line DD in Fig. 1,-a-nd partialsection on the line CC in Fig. 4:; Fig. 6 is a section on the line AA inFig. 1, with the half blocks removed; Figs. 7 and 8 are longitudinalsections showing the breech open in two successive positions of theparts during the ramming of the cartridge case into its housing; andFig. 9 is a detail view to a larger scale showing the control of thefinger for ramming the cartridge cases. Figs. 10 to 16 illustrate asecond constructional form of the invention in which the divided blockis formed of two elements with concentric threads which are givensimultaneous angular displacements by sliding in opposite directions.Figs. 10 to 13 show the breech closed, respectively, in

longitudinal elevation, rear elevation, longi- Specification of LettersPatent.

Application filed July 31, 1911.

Patented July 16, 1912.

Serial No. 641,561.

tudinal section and horizontal axial section; Fig. 14 is a longitudinalsection showing the breech open; and Figs. 15 and 16 show a modificationof the operating mechanism, respectively in elevation and insemi-sectional plan, the breech being closed. Figs. 17 to 25 represent athird constructional form of the invention in which the block is formedof two screw elements housed in a breech screw and which beingbrought-together during the screwing and the unscrewing are givenangular movements in opposite directions around a pivot common to themboth for freeing the chamber after unscrewing or for obturating beforescrewing. Figs. 17 and 18 are sectional elevations viewed respectivelyfrom the right and left of the plane of the longitudinal axis of thegun; Fig. 19 is a rear elevation; Fig. 20 is a sectional elevation onthe line AA in Fig. 17 Fig. 21 is a sectional elevation on the line DDDin Fig. 22; Fig. 22 is a horizontal section on the line BB in Fig. 17;Fig. 23 is a partial horizontal section on the line C@ in Fig. 20; Fig.24 is a sectional elevation showing the breech open; and Fig. 25 is arear elevation of the gun with the breech removed.

On each side of the horizontal plane w passing through the axis of thegun a housing a L is formed in the breech for the element at and theelement 5 of the divided block ab respectively. In the exampleillustrated in Figs. 1 to 9 these elements are prismatic with planelongitudinal faces; in the breech closed position they fit one againstthe other in accordance with a plane horizontal base. The housings a Z)which correspond in form to the longitudinal faces of a and 5 presentfront and rear walls Z2 which slightly incline rearward. Thisinclination enables the two blocks a b to move parallel with the planeof oscillation of the gun. At the ends of one and the same diameter thepinion f meshes with racks g and h respectively connected by cylindricalnoses g and 72, with the half blocks a and Z) and guided in grooves 0 inthe breech (Fig. 1). Upon the lever 6 there is arranged a movable handle5 by means of which a spring catch j7. can be operated; by itsengagement in a notch in the gun this catch forms a bolt for locking thelever when the breech is closed.

In order to open the breech the bolt is released from its notch bypulling on the handle 2 then the lever is given a half turn upward andtoward the rear of the gun in such a manner as to bring it to i (Fig.1). This operation requires only a small effort seeing that the weightof the half block b balances that of the half block a on the gear wheelf.

A stop m. (Fig. 1) fixed to the gun limits the travel of the half blocksin opening by forming a support for the head of the rack 72.

At the rear of the housing a b a cylindrical recess a beveled at itsupper part 72. affords a passage for the ammunition; the lower part ofthis passage it serves as a loading plate.

lVith a divided block such as has justbeen described it is of coursenecessary to provide special means for housing the firing members, forramming the cartridge cases during the closing of the breech and forextracting the empty cases. As the branches u of the usual extractormightprevent the cartridge case (1 from being placed in position aramming finger 1 pivoted at the upper part of the lower half block Z) isarranged in such a manner as automatically to ram thecartridge (Z intothe gun at the commencement of the coming together of the half blocks aand Z). Upon an extension of the shaft 2 of the finger 1 there is keyeda toothed sector 3 which in the movements of ascent and descent of thehalf block 6 moves in a groove 5 in the breech. At the commencement ofthe upward movement of the half block the sector 3 travels upon a rack4t fixed to the gun. When the breech is open the rack t holds back thefinger 1. As soon as the half blocks are operated for bringing themtogether the sector 3 in traveling on the rack 4c lifts the finger 1which then bears against the base of the cartridge (Z so as to rain itinto the gun. Fig. 7 shows the finger 1 lifted and beginning to act uponthe cartridge casefor ramming it. Fig. 8 shows the finger 1 at the endof its ramming stroke. At this moment a spring catch 6-7 (Figs. & and 5)arranged in the half block b opposite the hub of the finger 1 encountersa recess in this hub and engages therein; the finger 1 is then locked inthe position shown in firm lines in Fig. 8 and in broken lines in Fig.9. During the thrust movement of the finger the rim of the cartridgecase has forced back the branches-2o of the extractor. hen the positionshown in Fig. 8 has been reached the half blocks can approach each otherfreely completing the positioning of the cartridge case 4. Inverselywhen for opening the breech the semiblocks a Z) are separated one fromthe other the toothed sector 3 meshes with the rack 4:, the fingerlrises in becoming released from the spring catch 6'(' then stops 3 onthe half block b in acting upon the noses w of the extractor cause theejector branches at to rock.

In order to house conveniently the striker of a firing mechanism of anyknown type the bearing surface of the half blocks is formed outside theplane of the horizontal axis of the gun in the breech closed position insuch a manner that the striker housed in the lower block for examplecanbe located,

in this position, in the axis of the gunras shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

In Figs. 10 to 16, as in the preceding ex-:

ample, the breech block is divided into two elements a I). These halfblocks are limited in front by a cy lindrical surface a 7) upon which aflat c a b is cut for the support of V cartridge cases with flat base(Z, on the sides by two parallel planes each carrying a se ries ofconcentric threads a b engaging 1n corresponding threads 0 in the breechc; at

the rear by two concave cylindrical surfaces a 72* arranged in such amanner as to afford a passage for the ammunition when the breech is open(Fig. 14), the surface b then.

serving as loading plate. Each of the half blocks carries at the rearand projecting" from either side a boss a b cylindrical externally andconcentric with'the threads and engaging in a recess of correspondingform in the face of the breech. The bosses. asa whole form trunnions soto speak around which the breech rocks in its movements. These bosseshave plane faces a and b which serve as limiting stops forthe opening ofthe breech. In the closed position the half blocks fit one against theother along:

Upon the upper block a plane surface a b. and at the rear a cylindricalclearance 'n is provided for facilitating the introduction of theammunition into the gun. As this clearance lightens the upper block a acy-w lindrical recess a is formed in the lower block to obtainequilibrium. Opening and closing are ObtillIlGCl by separating andbringing together the half blocks by means,

of suitable operating gear.

In the example illustrated in Figs. 10 to 14: a: lever e is fitted tothe right hand side of the gun upon: the trunnion b of the lower halfblock. By means of a small double lever 8 (Figs. 10' and 13) this leveris connected with another lever 9 permanently fitted on the trunnion (4of the upper blocka. The double lever 8 is pivoted by means of a r thelower half block Z).

pivot 10 on the body of the gun and at its ends carries nipples 11 and12 which engage respectively in the slots and 79 formed in the levers 9and e. Upon the operating lever 6 there is arranged a movable handle 2'furnished with a bolt acted upon by a spring is. When the breech isclosed the bolt locks the breech by the aid of a re cess g (Fig. 10)formed in the gun; when the breech is open the bolt engages in anotherrecess g likewise formed in the gun. In order to open the breech it isonly neces sary to release the bolt j and depress the handle i until thebolt enters the opening recess g; in this movement the operating lever 6efi'ects approximately one-twelfth of a revolution in the downwarddirection. It actuates the block Z1 and by means of the nipple 12displaces the lever 8 which by means of the nipple 11 displaces thelever 9 and consequently the block a. In this displacement the weightofthe block a balances the weight of the block b. The travel of the halfblocks in the opening movement is limited as already stated by the facesa and b of the trunnions which form stops. The closing of the breech iseffected by an inverse operation the travel being then limited bythecontact of the blocks one with the other.

In the modification illustrated in Figs. 15 and 16 the double lever81112 is replaced by two sets of teeth 7* .9 carried by one and the samedisk which is journaled upon a stud t fixed to the gun; these sectorsmesh respectively with the toothed sectors 1* and carried by the levers9 and c.

The firing mechanism which may be of any known construction is let intothe lower half block Z) as shown in Figs. 11, 12 and 1d.

The automatic extraction of the cartridges is efiected by means of anordinary ejector with two symmetrical branches M (Fig. 1%) mounted upona pivot *v fitted in the gun. The ejector carries two noses to which arelikewise symmetrical and upon which two stops 3 (Fig. 18) cut in thelower half block Z) strike. The striking of the noses against the stops1 rocks the ejector and eX- tracts the cartridge cases. The travel ofthe ejector is limited by bearing faces :2 formed in the gun and uponwhich the noses to strike.

it the moment of loading the positioning of the cartridge case isstopped by the branches u of the ejector upon which it strikes, thesebranches being retained by the bearing of the noses 10 upon the stops gof In order to com plete the introduction of the charge into the gun apusher 1 is mounted on a pivot- 2 arranged in the upper half block a.When the breech is open this pusher being drawn back by a spring 13allows the ammunition to pass freely but as soon as the closing movementof the breech begins a branch 14 of the pusher 1 provided with a roller15 bears upon a cam 16 cut in the gun; this results in a movement ofrotation of the pusher. The latter in then acting upon the base of thecartridge case completes the introduction of the cartridge into the gunbeing assisted in this operation by the two front ridges of the halfblocks which are suitably rounded 05 for this purpose. As soon as theclosing movement begins the lower half block b releases the ejectorwhich follows the movement of the cartridge case andautomatically'resumes its position for the next extraction. During theopening of the breech the pusher 1 is held in place owing to the factthat the roller 15 bears on the body of the gun; it does not resume itsplace under the influence of the spring 13 until toward the end of themovement of the block and therefore cannot impede the extraction of theempty cases.

In the example disclosed by Figs. 17 to 2-5, the breech screw is dividedinto two elements a and Z) which are fitted one against the other whenthe breech is closed. The two half blocks when thus assembeld presentthe form of a truncated straight cone with parallel bases upon whichthere are cut symmetrically relatively to the plane of the horizontalaxis of the gun,two inclined plane faces a b, a b which limit theconical parts to two quarters of a circumference where the cylindricalthreads a b are cut in tiers. Each of the two half blocks a and bcarries upon its rear face two lugs a a b b one above, the other below.Through the upper lugs a 6* a trunnion 17 passes and through the lowerlugs a b an identical trunnion 18 passes. It is around these trunnionsthat the half blocks rotate when coming together for closing the breechand separating for openingit; these movements take place in housings 0formed. in the gun. Two concave cylindrical recesses a. Z) are formed inthe half blocks a and b respectively; they afford a passage for theammunition in the breech open position (Fig. 2d); the lower recess athen forms a loading plate. In the half block a a recess is formed for afiring hammer 19 and a recess is formed for a striker 20in the halfblock b. The two half blocks are carried by a ring 21 threaded incorrespondence with the screw breech on its outer face and engaging inan internal screw thread in a support 22 fixed to the gun. The latterenvelops the whole of the closure system; in its center, however, anopening for the passage of the ammunition is cut. The ring 21 has twolugs 23, 2% in which the trunnion l7 and the trunnion 18 fitrespectively; upon the inner surface of the said ring there is cut arack 25 which meshes with a pinion 26 the shaft of which is j ournaledin the fixed support 22- (Figs. 20 and 23) The breech is operated bymeans of a lever e the handle i of which acts by traction upon a springbolt j7; which in the closed position engages in a recess 9 in the gun.The lever 16 is keyed upon a shaft a turning in the fixed support 22 andrigidly connected with a bevel pinion 27 which meshes with a pinion 28keyed upon the same shaft as the pinion 26. The rotation of the latterpro duces an angular displacement of the rack and consequently that ofthe crown 21 and of the half blocks a and b that it can ries. Before thelatter have rotated through a quarter revolution they have becomedisengaged from the thread 0 (Fig. of the breech nut. Upon an extensionof each. of the trunnions 17 and 18 there are keyed respectively a crank29 carrying at its end a nipple 30 and a similar crank 31 carrying anipple The nip )les 30 and 32 are engaged respectively in helicoidalgrooves 33-3l, 35*36 formed in the cylindrical wall of the fixed supportThese grooves present the same inclination as the screw thread in theirpart 33, which the nipples traverse during the unscrewing of the blocks;at one end (34, 36) the said grooves present a greater inclinationtoward the gun. IVhen after the unscrewing of the blocks the nipplesengage in this part of greater inclination the lever c continuing torotate the cranks 29, 31 displace the trunnions 17, 1S and cause theblocks 7) and a to pivot and separate one from the other, the cltortnecessanv for this separation being reduced owing to the fact that theblocks balance each other. The breech is closed by operating the lever ein the opposite direc tion. The mechanism for extracting the cartridgecases is analogous to that described in the preceding examples. The halfblock a. carries stops y acting; upon corresponding noses w of theextractor levers a.

'hat I claim and desire to secureby Letters Patent of the United Statesis 1. In a gun, the combination of a breech, a breech block in two partsmovable in said ireech, and means moving said parts toward and from eachother to close and open the breech.

2. In a gun, the combination of a breech, a breech block in two partsmovable in said breech, connections between said parts, and common meansfor moving said parts toward and from each other to close and open thebreech.

3. In a gun, the combination of a breech, a breech block in two balancedparts movable in said breech, and means moving said parts toward andfrom each other to close and open the breech.

4. In a gun, the combination of a breech, a breech block in two balancedparts movable in said breech, connections between said vertical plane insaid breech, andmeansmoving said parts toward and from each other toclose and open the breech.

6. In a gun, the combination of a breech, a breech block in two partsmovable in avertical plane in said breech, connections between saidparts, and common meansmov-' ing said parts toward and from each otherto close and open the breech.

7. In av gun, the combination of a breech,

a breech block in two balanced parts movable in a vertical plane in saidbreech, and means moving said parts toward and from each other to closeand open the breech.

In a gun, the combination of a breech,

a breech block in two balanced parts movable in a vertical plane in saidbreech, connections between said parts, and common means for moving saidblocks toward and from each other to close and open the breech. V

9. In a gun, the combination of a breech, a breech block in two partsmovable in said breech, means moving said parts toward and fromeachother to close and open the breech, a firing pin carried by one ofsaid parts, an extractor mounted on the gun, and extractor operatingmeans carried by one of said parts. i

a breech block in two parts movable in said breech in a verticalplane,,means moving said parts toward and from each other to close andopen the breech, a firing pin carother to close and open the breech, afiring pin carried by one of said parts, an extractor mounted on thegun, and extractor operating means carried by one of said parts.

12. In a gun, the combination of a breech, a breech block in two partsmovable in a vertical plane in said breech around horizon tal axes, andmeans moving said parts to:

ward and from each other to close and open the breech.

10. In a gun, the combination of a breech,

13. In a gun, the combination of a breech, V

a breech block in two balanced parts movable in a vertical plane in saidbreech around horizontal axes, connections between said parts, andcommon means for moving said parts toward and from each other to closeand open the breech.

14:. In a gun, the combination of a breech, a breech block in two partsmovable in said breech, means for ramming the cartridge homecarried byone of said parts, and means moving said parts toward and from eachother to close and open the breech.

15. In a gun, the combination of a breech, a breech block in two partsmovable in said breech, a lever pivoted to one of said parts for rammingthe cartridge home, and means moving said parts toward and from eachother to close and open the breech.

16. In a gun, the combination of a breech, a. breech block in two partsmovable in said breech, a two-armed lever pivoted to one of said partsfor ramming the cartridge home, a cam on the gun engaging one of saidarms, and means moving said parts toward and from each other to closeand open the breech.

17. In a gun, the combination of a breech, a breech block, concentricthreads on one of said elements and corresponding concentric grooves onthe other, said breech block comprising two balanced parts movable in avertical plane around horizontal axes, and means for moving said partstoward and from each other to close and open the breech.

18. In a gun, the combination of a breech, a breech block, concentricthreads on one of said elements and corresponding concentric grooves onthe other, said breech block comprising two balanced parts movable in avertical plane around horizontal axes, connections between said parts,and common means for moving said parts toward and from each other toclose and open the breech.

19. In a gun, the combinatiomof a breech, a breech block, concentricthreads on one of said elements and corresponding concentric grooves onthe other, said breech block comprising two balanced parts movable in avertical plane around horizontal axes, a firing pin carried by the lowerpart, an extractor pivoted on the gun, extractor-operating means carriedby said lower part, and means for moving said parts toward and from eachother to close and open the breech.

20. In a gun, the combination of a breech, a breech block in two partsmovable in said breech, means for moving said parts toward and from eachother to close and open the breech, said means comprising alever securedto one of said parts, a second lever secured to the other part, andconnections between said levers.

21. In a gun, the combination of a breech, a breech block in two partsmovable in said breech, means for moving said parts toward and from eachother to close and open the breech, said means comprising a leversecured to one of said parts, a second lever secured to the other part,and pivoted connections between said levers.

22. In a gun, the combination of a breech, a breech block in two partsmovable in said breech, means for moving said parts toward and from eachother to close and open the breech, said means comprising a leversecured to one of said parts, a second lever secured to the other part,and a two-armed lever pivoted to the gun, one arm being connected to onelever and the other arm to the other.

23. In a gun, the combination of a breech, a breech block composed of aplurality of parts movable in said breech in a vertical plane, and meansfor moving said parts toward and from each other to close and open thebreech. I

24. In a gun, the combination of a breech, a breech block composed of aplurality of parts movable in said breech in a vertical plane,connections between said parts, and common means for moving said partstoward and from each other to close and open the breech.

25. In a gun, the combination of a breech, a breech block in two partsmovable in said breech in a vertical plane, one of said parts being cutaway at its rear to facilitate the introduction of the cartridge and theother part having a cut-away portion so that it will balance the firstpart, connections between said parts, and common means for moving saidparts toward and from each other to close and open the breech.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

EUGENE SCHNEIDER.

Witnesses:

DEAN B. Mason, R. DE SEVELINGER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). C.

